Stolen kitten used in Maryland bank robbery attempt: "The only thing she's guilty of is stealing hearts"
A man attempted to rob a Maryland bank with a kitten he is accused of stealing just minutes before.
The cat-napper was captured on surveillance video walking into a Pet Supplies Plus at the Chestnut Hill Shopping Center in Beltsville Monday morning. Moments later, he is seen leaving the store, cradling a kitten.
That kitten was 3-month-old Magnolia, a black and white tuxedo cat who is "sweet, playful, and always purring."
According to the animal rescue organization Beltsville Community Cats, the man had been scoping out little Magnolia for weeks.
"He obviously noticed where the key was kept, and when the store staff had their backs turned, he grabbed the key, grabbed the kitten, ran out of the store, and went across to the bank. He handed Magnolia to a bank employee and said, 'Can you hold this?' Stephanie Stullich with Beltsville Community Cats told WJZ. "He proceeded to write a note handed to the bank teller, saying, 'Give me all your cash.' So, the kitten was a decoy. That's why he took her."
Witnesses said the man ran from the pet store and towards a nearby PNC Bank where he allegedly tried to use Magnolia as an accessory in his attempted bank robbery.
Magnolia was stolen from a pet store and used in an attempted bank robbery.
According to Beltsville Community Cats, the rescue handling the kitten's adoption, the feline-assisted caper didn't work; he didn't get the money and was apprehended by police.
Prince George's County Police confirmed they took a man into custody at the PNC Bank.
Magnolia was found safe in the bank manager's office.
"It could've ended tragically. She could've scrambled out of his arms in the parking lot and gotten hit by a car, and that would've been the end. We're so grateful," Stullich said. "Probably the hardest part for her was being carried across the scary parking lot."
She said the person who took her may have been having a mental health crisis.
She is now awaiting adoption with Beltsville Community Cats, where her caretaker said, "the only thing she's guilty of is stealing hearts."
Stullich added, "and she would like to steal the occasional treat."
Spotlight on adoptions
The rescue group said they hope the attention Magnolia's case has received puts a spotlight on the many animals in Maryland in need of adoption.
"Magnolia is a poster child for the need to adopt rescue kittens and cats. We have so many people call us every day," Stullich said. "Beltsville Community Cats is no different than any other rescue group all over the state and across the country. All of these rescue groups are working so hard to try to help these cats, but we need people to adopt them."
You may also email Beltsville Community Cats about their available felines at hello@beltsvillecats.net.